Shoulder pad



A. N. SPAN EL Jan. 17, 1950 SHOULDER PAD Filed Jan. 27, 1948 5. V. RL E WMMM wp w led A N M A H m sw A Patented Jan. 17, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHOULDER PAD Abraham N. Spauel, Dover, Del. Application January 27, 1948, Serial No. 4,555

t claims.

'This invention relates to shoulder pads for 'lee in wearing apparel such as coats, dresses and the like garments. and especially to pads eonsisting of or comprising a sponge rubber body, such as latex foam rubber.

finohject of the invention is to provide a shoulder pad which will provide greater comfort to t -e vvearer as well asproviding improved conformity in shape to the garment When worn.

Another object is to provide a shoulder pad of reduced Weight and a corresponding diminution of sponge rubber required for a given over-all size while retaining adeouate structural support.

@ther and further objects. features and advantases of the invention Will he understood from the following description taken in connection With the accompanying drawings, in which:

l is a top plan view of a preferred form of the invention;

lfiig. la is a greatly enlarged sectional view taken aiong the line ia-Eia of Fig. i to loetter show certain features of the device;

Flg., 2 is a longitudinal sectional view talsen alone the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a loottom plan view of the main body of the device With the cover removed;

me. 4 is a transverse seetional view taken along the line t-t of Fig., 3;

me. 5 is a bottom plan view of a modified form of the device;

file. t is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line t-t of Fig. 5;

Fis'. 'i' is a bottom plan view of a further modification; and

life: t is a iongitudinal sectional along the line 9-3 of Fig. 7.

The device in its preferred form comprises a sponge rubber body and a fabric cover therefor to facilltate attachment to garments, such as eoats and dresses. rl''he invention lnvolves certain features of novelty with respect to these components in combination; hut it is to be understood that certain features of the invention reside in the particular conflguration of the sponge rubber body per se whether or not the device includes a fabric cover.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, ill designates a latex or the like sponge rubber body and il designates the fabric cover therefor. The sponge rubber body in general exterlor outline is of ungularV shape. More particularly, it is arch-shaped in a transverse dlrection throughout its length and is so proportioned that the arch diminishes in wall thickness progressively from the zone of view taken greatest helght, designated l2, which in this embodiment is disposed adjacent to the outer edge li and spaced slghtly inwardly therefrom, toward the inner end M. From this lt will be seen that this variation in thickness extends throughout the major longitudinal extent of said body. The arch thickness also dlminishes from said zone of greatest thlckness to the outer edge l3. The arch thickness of the body also diminishes in opposite transverse directions from a central longitudinal zone of greatest thickness, such as the longitudinal zone disposed along the section line 2, to substantially the respectiveiy opposite marginal edges iii, it which graduaily mei-ge together into the inner edge it to define a semiellipse in plan view.

In shoulder pads heretofore in use the lower concave contour has presented a surface determined primarily in accordance With the degree of padding efiect desired for the garment and initial shape of the shoulder of the garment. While such pads are comfortable When worn by some yet on others they are uncomfortahle due to a more or less protuherance of the outer end of the clavicle. Not only is ldiscomfort experienced in such cases but the pad tends to siide od to one side or the other. Even in the case of shoulder pads made of sponge rubber these defects are present and a relatively thin arch section fails to provide the desired resistance against Collapse When iatex foam rubber or the like sponge is ornployed. i have found that a latex foam ruhher pad loody may be given such a configuration as to overcome the undesirahle features above discussed; thus providing comfort and proper iit which maintains the pad in proper position and the garment properly draped.

The body is provided with a depression or cavity ili extending from the inner concave surface toward the outer convex surface and disposed along the dome of the arched shape and preferably substantially at the zone of greatest thickness. ft will be noted that the area of the cavlty is such as to leave a substantial margn m between the cavity il and sides 05, IG and preferably also the inner end 14. This depression is of such depth and configuration as to provide for receiving the outer end of the clavicle of the Wearer, which is the most promininet part of the shoulder structure, while at the same time providing a suitable marginal surface area along the concave interior of the arched structure to adequately support the pad on the Wearer's shoulder around the clavicle. Preferably, this depression is of the general outline of a tear- 2,4odoss drop in plan view (Fig. 3) with its maximum modiflcations may be made thereln without dedepth and width disposed at the zone of greatest parting from the spirit and scope of my invenconvexity so as to provide between said cavity tlon, and I aim in the appended claims to cover and the upper convex surface a wall of substansuch changes and modiflcations as are within tially reduced thickness; thus eflecting a reduc- 5 the scope of the invention,

tion in weight and a saving in sponge rubber WhatIclaim is:

material in addition to providing a suitable recess 1. A shoulder pad comprising a body which iS for the purpose desired. made of unitary latex foam structure having up- With reference to Fi'gs. 1 and 1a, it will be seen per and lower surfaceareas, the upper of which that the fabric cover il is made of an upper fold io areas when on the shoulder being generally conlla and a lower fold llb which are stitched tovex in transverse cross section and the lower of gether along the real' edge 18 and around the said surface areas being `concave in transverse marginal edge H, IB, IS. the stitching being descross section and provided with a depressed porlgnated s. The upper fold is provided with tucks, tion extending inwardly of the contiguous consuch as t, to better conform the cover to the ooncave lower surface area. said depressed portion tour of the pad body member. It has been found being so constructed and arranged \esto accomthat the inner end of such tucks have a declded modate a portion of the protruding bony shoulder tendency to pucker and thereby present an unstructure of the wearer.

sightiy appearance. It has likewise been found 2. A shoulder pad for wearing apparel comthat the lower fold hada tendency to droop away 20 priSing a latex foam or the like sponge rubber from the coiicave underside of the body membody having a shape So proportioned thatI its seober. One of the objects of the invention is to tion diminishes in wall thickness progressively in obviate these objectionable features. The cover a longitudinal dircction from adjacent the outer fabric is so selected that a predominant grain is end toward the inner end throughout the major provided such as by ribs IB, such as is present in longitudinal eiftent of said body and progressivefaille, rep or fabrics of like nature, in which there lY ClimInlSheS in Wall thickness in ODPOSite transis relatively greater flexibility transverse the verse directions from a central longitudinal zone grain (Fig. la). The upper fold ila of the ooye1` o f greatest thickness to substantially the respecis arranged so that the grain extends in a longitilvely Opposite marginal edges, and Said body tudinai direotion while the lower foid ilb of the being provided with a centraily disposed oavity cover is so disposed that the grain l8 extends on exlflendine; Within the bOdy thickness in depth the bias. With this arrangement the puckering from the lOWer Surface Of said body toward the at the tucks t is eliminated and the fabric cover upper Surface, the area Of Said Cavity at its June- 1ies oioseiy adjaoent to the inner oonoavity of the ihre With Said lower Surface being so proporbody member. tioned as to provide a substantial marginal sur- In Figs. 5 and 6 there is shown a body mem face of said lower surface between said cavity and ber of general Configuration identical with that the ODDOSite Sides and included inner end of said shown in Fig. 3, but in this modified embodibody, to thereby provide a reoess for receivine ment the depression, designated 20, is circular in the Oute end Of the elaviele While providing a plan view. While this form of depression serves 411 Sufiieiently Stable haSe fOf SupDOfiSing Said latex as a reccss to accommodate the main protuberfoam bOdy frOm the wearer's shoulder. once of the oiavioie, in so far as comfort is oon- 3- A Shouler load for wearing apparel oompriscerned it is not as dosirabie as the form shown in ine a latex foam or the like Sponge rubber body Figs. 2-4. However, the supporting marginal porhaving a shape -so prODOriiioned that its Section tion m' is somewhat increased in area and effecdiminishes in Wall thickness DI'OgeSSiVely in a tiveness. longitudinal direction from adjacent the outer In Figs. 7 and 8 there is shown a further modiend toward the inner end throughout the major fied fol-m of pad body in Wh'ieh the maximum longitudinal extent of said body and progressively oroh seotion, designoted 21, is disposed at the diminiSheS in Well thickness in opposite transouter edge, designated 22, and therefore the ver-se directions from a central longitudinal zone thickness topes progressively from the outer of greatest thickness to substantially the respecedge progrossiveiy to o ihin inner edge 23. As tively opposite mareinaledeeasaid opposite mariri the previous embodiment the arch sections glnai edges meeliing ai'I the inner end Of Said bOdy taper progressively in opposite direotions from to form a Substantially semi-elliptical outline in the central, longitudinal zone toward the respecplan View, and Said hOdy being DI'OVided With a tively opposite edges Suoh as 24, 25 and these central cavity of teardrop configuration extendedges gradually merge together with the thin ing Within the body thickness in depth from the inner edge 23 to form -a semi-eiiiptioai outiine in 10Wer Surface of Said body toward the upper surplan view. In this embodiment the recess is desface and having itS greatest depth and Width disignated 25 and takes the form of o ohenne] oo posed substantially at the zone of greatest thickwhioh interseots the outer edge 22. As in the neSS, to thereby provide a reoess for reoeivine the embodiment of Figs. 2-4 this cavity varies from Oul'le end Of illhe elaviele.

a maximum depth at the zone of greatest thick- 4- A ShOulde pad fOi' wearing aDDa-I'el COnDiS- ness toward its inner end where it graduaily ine a latex foam or the like eponee rubber body merges with the interior concavity of the body, having a shape SO DfODOftioned that its section to thereby provide between said osvity and the iminiSheS in well thickness progressively in a upper oonvex body Surface a Wall of suhstanlongitudinal direction from the outer end toward tially reduced thickness. In this embodiment the the inner end throughout the longitudinal extent supporting marginal surface is also designated m. Of Said body and pogreSSVely iminiShes in wall Having thus desoribed my ihvehtioh With pop thickness in opposite transverse directions from ticularity with reference to several embodiments a Central lOngil'indinal ZOne Of greatest thickness of the samo, and having desoribed and referred to SubStantially the respeotively opposite marto certain modifioations thereof, it will be obvieinal edses, Said opposite mareinal edees meetng ous to those skiiied in the art, after uhderstandat the inner end of Said body to form a substaning my invention, that various changes and other 'lo tially Semi-elliptical outline in Plan view, and

said body being provided with a centrally disposed depression in the form of a channel extending in length from said outer end inwardly toward said inner end and extending in depth from the lower surface of said body toward the upper surface. to thereby provide a central recess within said body thickness for-receiving the outer end of the clavicle.

5. A shoulder pad for wearing apparel comprising a latex foam or the like sponge rubber body member' having an inherent transverse archecl shape So proportioned that said arched section diminishes in wall thickness progressively in a longitudinal direction from a. zone of greatest height disposed adjacent its outer end toward its inner end throughout the major longitudinal extent of said body and diminishes in thickness from said zone of greatest height to said outer end and progressively diminishes in wall thickness in opposite transverse directions from a central longitudinal zone of greatest thickness to substantially the respectively opposite marginai edges, and a woven fabric cover having an'upper fold and a. lower fold which together envelope said body member. the gram of the weave of said fabric being predominant in one direction, said cover being so constructed and arranged that in the upper fold adjacent the convex surface of said body contour the grain runs in a longitudinal direction of said body and in the lower fold adjacent the concave surface of said body contour the grain runs on the bias.

6. A shoulder pad for wearing apparel comprising a latex foam or the like Sponge rubber body member having an inherent transverse arched. shape so proportioned that said arched section diminishes in wall thickness progressively in a 6 longitudial direction from a zone of greatest height disposed adjacent its outer end toward its inner end throughout the major longitudinal extent of said body and diminishes in thickness from said zone of greatest height to said outer end and progressively diminishes in wall thickness in opposite transverse directions from a central longitudinal zone of greatest thickness to substantially the respectively opposite marginal edges, and a woven fabric cover having an upper i fold and a lower fold which together envelope said body member, the grain of the weave of said fabric being predominant in one direction, said cover being so constructed and arranged that in the upper fold aiacent the convex surface of said body contour the grain runs in a longitudinal direction of said body and in the lower fold adjacent the concave surface of said body contour the grain runs on the bias, said upper fold being provided with a plurality of tucks extending from adjacent the outer end of said pad to adiacent said zone of greatest height.

, ABRAHAM N. SPANEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

